Maize giveaways or Amazing giveaways by Judi!

Here at Engedi one of the cool things I do is to be involved in giving away food (maize or beans) for the poor in the community. These are often widows or large families who have very little income.

Today as I looked out the office window I noticed a young boy just slightly older than my son sitting with his grandmother under the tree. I asked our Tanzanian receptionist what they wanted and she informed me that they had come requesting maize. They had not eaten in 2 days and when I looked more closely I could see that the young boy was faint from hunger, holding his head in his hands and leaning against the tree to stop from falling over. My heart broke. He was so thin and bony. Just a slightly taller and blacker version of Zachary.

While Nelson one of our workers went off to get the bucket of maize I asked our receptionist to invite them in for chai while I called our house a short distance away and asked my family to bring down any bread rolls we had left in our tin with some peanut butter for our guests. They were very thankful and drank 2 cups of very sweet tea.

On their departure I asked if I might pray a blessing for her family (there are 6 of them). She said "no" "I am a Muslim. We know that when we are in trouble and need help we come to the Christians but do not convert" This was all said with the help of my lovely interpreter/receptionist Raziki who gently and kindly pressed the bibi (grandma) for more explanation.

After she had refused even the mildest of prayers. We told her "you do not need to convert or even receive prayer but just know that every mouthful of maize you eat has been prayed for. And we pray for you to remember that Jesus loves you with every bite." She laughed and told us "Mungu aku barecki" "God bless you"

Many of my vancouver friends would be having kittens over this political incorrectness but hey TIA and as I see it.... God provided the maize, you come to a Christian organisation asking for that maize.... it is going to come with prayer... personal if you'll take it... otherwise the maize is laced with it!!!! in a good way!